Method for developing films, a device and a material for carrying out this method



w. LIMBERGER 3,142,241 METHOD FOR DEVELOPING FILMS, A DEVICE AND A MATERIAL FOR CARRYING OUT THIS METHOD July 28, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 6, 1961 W. LIMBERGER DEVE July 28, 1964 METHOD FOR LOPING FILMS, A DEVICE AND T THIS METHOD A MATERIAL FOR CARRYING 0U 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 6, 1961 United States Patent 3,142,241 METHUD 359R DEVELOPING FILMS, A DEJME AND A MATEREAL FOR CARRYENG GUT THIS VJaiter Limberger, Hamburg-@oppenbnttel, Germany, assignor to Lumoprint Zintller K.G., Hamburg, Germany Filed Mar. s, 1961, Ser. No. 93,699 Claims priority, application Germany Mar. 17, 1960 16 Qlaims. (Cl. 9589) The invention relates to a method for developing films comprising photographic emulsions on a backing by the application of developer substances. In particular, the invention relates to the developing of photographic silver halide emulsions. Furthermore, the invention relates to a device and a material for carrying out this process.

Known surface developing devices operate with developer liquid which must be specially prepared and renewed from time to time. In time, the quality of the liquid deteriorates, e.g. by oxidization, so that besides the disadvantages which arise from the use of a developer liquid varying development results are obtained with increasing age of the developer.

It is further known to arrange the halogen silver emulsion layer, together with the layer with the developer material, on a backing. One disadvantage of this arrangement lies in the limitation of the storage period of the paper, which furthermore must be stored under comparatively constant conditions in order to avoid a premature starting of the effect. For long storage periods, however, reactions can occur under normal conditions which impair the usefulness of the film.

The invention is based on the problem of providing a method and a device in which the developing and if necessary fixing is carried out by treating the film with an exposed silver halide layer, without the storage ability or the like of these materials being affected by special additional materials. According to the invention, this problem is solved in that the developer substances are provided bonded in a fusible material and, on melting of this material by the application of heat and/or liquid, are applied to the emulsion. Advantageously, for this purpose a relative movement is effected between a shaped piece of the fusible material containing the developer substance, and if necessary fixer substances, and the film.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the fusible material comprises a substance which can simultaneously be used as a protective layer, or it contains such a substance which is transferred to the emulsion during the application of the developer substances or the fixer substances. The protective layer substance comprises for example alum. It is pointed out that a different material, which if necessary provides a glossy covering on solidification, can be used. The invention includes in this sense a dye addition as protective filter. For example, methylumbelliferone is used.

The device for carrying out the method comprises a roller formed of the fusible material and the substances necessary for development or fixing, in association with a source of heat and/or a liquid application device on a transport path for a film. The roller of fusible material will be referred to hereinafter as the chemical roller, or treatment roller. The fusible material advantageously comprises a fusion means with a low fusion point; according to an advantageous embodiment a material is added or used which both contains water of crystillization and is compatible with the developer material. One particular embodiment of the invention includes a combination of the chemical roller with a heating drum, or heating roller, the roller and drum being arranged opposite one another on opposite sides of the transport path.

3,142,241 Patented July 28, 1964 Advantageously, springs are provided for biasing the roller and drum together or this is effected by gravity. The heating drum is preferably constructed so as to be removed from the chemical roller in dependence on the drive of the apparatus or of the chemical roller in order to avoid heating part of the chemical roller after stopping of the apparatus.

According to another advantageous embodiment, which however includes a heating drum, a moistening device is arranged in association with the chemical roller. For example, the invention covers wetting of the chemical roller by spraying by means of nozzles.

According to one particular embodiment, two arrangements each comprising a chemical roller and a heating drum and/or wet-ting device are arranged parallel to one another and are associated with a transport and squeeze roller pair in such a way that the films leaving both arrangements are led together into the squeeze and transport roller pair. This arrangement makes possible the production of copies by the diffusion developing process using a negative film and a positive film the drying process, one film being led through an arrangement of chemical roller and heating drum and/ or wetting device and both films are then led together into the squeeze and transport roller pair.

Furthermore, a particular embodiment of the invention foresees the arrangement one above the other of two groups of chemical rollers and heating drums and/ or wetting device, one chemical roller containing the developer substances and the other fixing materials and advantageously also a protective sheet-forming fusion means or corresponding addition in the fusion means.

The invention is furthermore directed to the chemical roller, which substantially comprises fusible bonding means, advantageously a fusion means such as borax, and the developer substances, for example alkali, the resulting roller having a cylindrical form so that the chemical roller can also be arranged as drive means on a film transport path.

Instead of the above developer substances, fixer means, for example thiosulphate and advantageously a substance forming a protective sheet, such as alum, can be included in the roller.

Further advantages and features of the invention will be evident from the following description of the exemplary embodiments thereof schematically shown in the drawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a side view in section of a device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a section along the line II-II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a section along the line IIIIII of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a section corresponding to the section IIIIII but of an embodiment of the device different to that shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows a view corresponding to the view of FIG. 4 of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 shows partly in section a partial side view modification of the device according to FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows a view corresponding to FIG. 4 of another embodiment of the apparatus;

FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of a further embodiment of the invention in the section;

FIG. 9 shows a schematic view of a further embodiment in section;

FIG. 10 shows a cross section through a chemical roller; and

FIG. 11 shows a schematic circuit diagram for clarification or" the function of the parts.

It is pointed out that in some of the figures, only the features essential for the invention are shown schematically for explanation and that details, for example indi- Q vidual parts for the movement, corresponding to the relevant elements are shown in other views.

In FIGURES 1 to 3 there is shown an apparatus constructed as a table apparatus. This apparatus comprises a housing having a lower housing part 1 and a removable cover 2. The parts within the housing are supported on intermediate walls 3, 4, which if necessary can be arranged in the lower part 1 so as to be removable after removal of the cover 2 and release of the drive connection with the parts supported thereon.

Between the walls 3, 4 a roller 5 is rotatably supported in the lower part of the housing.

This roller is the chemical roller which is described in more detail hereafter.

The chemical roller is carried on a shaft the ends of which are supported in the bearings 6, 7 and whose end extending through the wall 4 carries a drive wheel 8. With this drive wheel there engages a pinion on the drive shaft of a motor drive unit 9 which is arranged on the side of the wall 4 facing away from the wall 3 within the housing 1, 2.

In the walls 3, 4 a drum 1!) is supported so as to be rotatable and adjustable in height and, as can be seen for example from FIGURE 2, has shaft ends 11, 12, are constructed with hearing sleeves 13, 14 having two vertical and parallel sides engaging in longitudinal slots 15, 15 in the walls 3, 4. It can be seen that between the upper limiting edge of the slots 15, 16, and the bearing sleeve 13, 14 there are respectively arranged compression springs 17, 18 which are stressed to press the drum downwards onto the roller 5. The lower ends of these springs can for example be supported on shoulders on the walls 3, 4, adjustable countersupports being provided for the upper ends of these springs. In view of the driven operation of the roller 5 the slots 15, 16 must extend downwards sufliciently to enable the drum 10 to be rotated by the roller 5. I

The bearing sleeves 13, 14 extend to the outsides of the walls 3, 4 respectively from the slots 15, 16 and are formed beneath their ends with supporting surfaces for the actuating rod of solenoids 19, 29. The soleniods are arranged on the walls 3, 4 and serve to lift the drum it from the roller 5 after stopping of the apparatus. It is possible to arrange the solenoids 19, 269 so that upon stopping of the apparatus they are automatically actuated. Furthermore, it is possible to latch the lifting rods in the raised position by means of special latching mechanisms so that the solenoids can be de-energised after raising of the drum 10, the latching parts being releasable by special electromagnets when the apparatus is again operated.

A further embodiment includes a support which is adjustable in height for the chemical roller 5 so that this roller, which can in that case be correspondingly supported in the longitudinal slots (see FIGURE 6) is pressed onto the heating drum 10 on switching on of the apparatus by means of solenoids and by springs.

For these embodiments, only the arrangement of the drum 10 and the roller 5 in such a way that they are movable towards one another is essential.

The heating drum 10 has for example a peripheral surface of good heat conducting material, if required with a covering of plastics material, which is preferred to other substances. Heater elements 102 are supported within the drum, for example on its end walls. The electrical connection to the heater elements is effected for example through the hollow ends 12 by conductors 21 which lead to a power supply unit 22 and which each have at least a section thereof flexible.

It is to be noted that an arrangement of the chemical roller above the heating drum also lies within the invention, whereby the heat rising within the apparatus is used particularly advantageously. From FIG. 3 it can be seen that at the height of the gap between the drum 10 and the roller 5, slots 23, 2.3 are arranged in the side walls of the All apparatus for the inlet and outlet of films. Between these slots and the drum-roller arrangement guide elements 24, 25, or 25, 27 can be provided for guiding films to the nip between the roller and the drum.

There is suitably arranged beneath the chemical roller 5 a collecting container 22 removable for example through an opening 28 in the housing, which receives any downwardly falling dust.

In the illustrated embodiment only the roller 5 is driven, while the drum 1! is rotated by the roller 5. In this way, there is obtained a relative speed which causes a friction effect between the roller 5 and any film passing through. This friction provides transfer of the substances contained in the chemical roller to the emulsion layer on the film. Suitably, according to a particular embodiment, there is provided an adjustable braking of the drum 1% for example by means of an elastic braking element which can be pressed against the drum 1i) and which is indicated in FIGURE 1 by reference numeral 30. By means of this braking element the relative speed or the friction effect can be adjusted. An actuating lever 31 for this braking element extends sideways through a slit in the housing, for example, as shown in FIGURES 2 and 3 and can be locked in various positions by a guide of the known type having projections.

According to FIGURE 4, there is provided an arrangement of a drum 32 and a chemical roller 33 corresponding to the embodiment according to FIGURES l to 3 in which the parts are driven and relatively adjustable in the manner described hereinabove. Between the inlet 34 and the nip between the drum 32 and the roller 33 there is for example provided a driven transport roller 35, 36 in recessed portions of guide elements 97, 98, the rollers of the transport roller pair being pressed resiliently together. This roller pair is driven in the direction of the arrows e.g. by a belt from the drive motor for the roller 33. The roller 33 is driven in the direction shown by the arrow 37 while the drum 32, which is adjustable in height as indicated by the arrow 38, runs therewith in the direction of the arrow 39. The drive is adjusted by corresponding transmissions in such a way that the peripheral speed of the roller 33 is greater than that of rollers 35, 36 so that after insertion of the film and advance of the film to the chemical roller 33 there is produced a friction which effects transfer of the chemicals.

FIGURE 5 shows a basically different embodiment. According to this embodiment a chemical roller 29 is rotatably supported in an apparatus, for example in the same way as the chemical roller 5. Above the chemical roller there is a pressing roller 41, corresponding to the drum It), which if necessary, however can also be constructed as a heating drum and which is supported adjustable in height and for example freely rotatable. The chemical roller 4t) dips in the position shown into the fluid in a container 42 which is supported adjustable in height at the bottom of the housing, for example on a scissor-like arrangement 43 so that the container can be lowered, to cause the chemical roller to leave the liquid. For the purpose of height adjustment, there is for example provided a solenoid 44 which on switching on of the device raises the container 42 into the position shown. After stopping of the apparatus, the weight of the container 4-2, after de-energization of the magnet presses the scissorlilre arrangement 43 into the position corresponding to the lowered position of the container. It is to be noted that if required fixedly arranged container can be provided and the chemical roller it? can be supported adjustable in height by means of solenoids, whereby after stopping of the apparatus the roller is raised from the container. This can be efiected in the manner shown in FIGURE 1.

An embodiment of this arrangement is shown in FIG- URE 6. In a housing 4-5 a pressing drum 47 is constructed adjustable in height and mounted on a wall 4-6, which corresponds to the wall 4 in FIGURE 1. The bearing sleeve of this drum is biased by an adjustable spring 48, the force of which can be adjusted by a screw 99 The chemical roller 49 is likewise mounted in bearing sleeves 50 which are adjustable in height and mounted in turn in slots 51 in the wall 46.

These bearing sleeves are engaged by the rods 54 of solenoids 55. These solenoids raise the roller 49 from the container 56 when the apparatus is switched off, whereby connection can be provided as described in connection with FIGURES 1 and 11. A counterpressure spring 57 corresponding to the spring 48 and if necessary an adjustable abutment 100 ensure that the roller 49 is guided to a definite position on lowering.

The container 56 is suitably supported on supports 58 which are adjustable in height to enable subsequent adjustment of the container during gradual using up of the chemical roller.

The chemical roller is driven in the above described manner by a drive unit 59 and a belt disc 60 on the shaft extending through the wall 46 by means of the belt. Furthermore, a fiexible conductor 62 is for example provided from a power supply 61 to heater elements 101 arranged in the drum 47.

In the circuit diagram shown in FIGURE 11 there is illustrated the function of the parts, the elements provided in the various figures being indicated by the same reference numerals.

A direct current source 106 for the control circuit and an alternating current source 119 for the drive unit 9, 59 are for example provided.

Besides the main switches which are not shown in detail, the actuation switch 107 is included in the direct current control circuit and serves to connect the conductors 108, 109 to the source 106. On closing of the switch 107 the relay 110 is energized. Said relay 110 includes the operation switch 111 and a switch in the circuit 112 and may also include a rest switch 115 which is operated upon energization of the relay 110. Therefore, upon closing of the switch 107, the switch 111 for the drive unit closes and the circuit 112, shown in unbroken lines, for the solenoids 19', 20' is completed. In this way the raising solenoid 19, 20 serve for pressing of the roller and the drum against each other.

By closing of the switch 107, the heating resistors 101 and 102 are also energized.

As described above, raising magnets may also be provided for separating the roller and the drum from each other. Such raising magnets are shown in FIG. 1 and also in the circuit arrangement of FIG. 11 in a special circuit shown by broken lines with the conductors 113, 114, which are connected directly to the direct current source 106. This circuit is for example completed by the de-energization of the relay 110 whereby the relay contact 115 closes.

If then in the described manner after raising of the drum the solenoids 19', 20' are to be de-energized, the hand switch 116 can be opened, which is connected by a rod 117 with a blocking member 118 which simultaneously locks the drum 10 in the raised position. The locking could also be elfected by special elements in controlled connection with the switch 116. On switching off, the switch 107 is opened, whereupon due to the de-energization of relay 110 the drive unit 9, 59 is switched ofi and the solenoids 19, 20 are de-energized.

It is to be noted that the solenoids 55, according to FIGURE 6, can be connected as is shown for the solenoids 19, 20. If for the embodiment according to FIG- URE 5 the solenoid 44 is arranged for movement of the container 42, this solenoid is connected to the conductors 108, 109 in the manner shown in FIGURE 11.

FIGURE 7 shows schematically a different embodiment for a wetted chemical roller. In a housing 63, which can be constructed similar to that shown in FIG- URE 3, a chemical roller 64 is supported adjustable in height, for example in the above described manner. Above the chemical roller there is arranged a pressing drum 65 which is correspondingly adjustable in height and which may also be provided with heating elements. Below the chemical roller, which is driven in the manner described in connection with FIGURE 6, there is located a moistening roller 66 which is likewise driven and which extends into a liquid container 67. The height adjustment of the roller 64 and the drum 65 is such that with the moistening roller 60 fixed in height a contact is maintained between the roller 66 and the roller 64 and between the roller 64 and the drum 65. For example, the drum 65 is subjected to a pressing force as shown by the arrow 68 by a spring corresponding to the spring 18 in FIGURE 1, which maintains the contact. Inlet and outlet guide slots 69, 70 are formed high enough to allow passage of a film in the whole working range of a chemical roller.

The embodiment according to FIGURE 7 has the advantage that no special raising is necessary on stopping of the apparatus, since the upper part of the moistening roller 66 quickly dries after stopping of the apparatus, so that no wetting of the chemical roller takes place while the machine is at rest.

FIG. 8 schematically shows within a housing 71 two arrangements 72, 73 each of a chemical roller 76, 77 and a heating or pressing drum 103, 104 which are supported and connected in the same way as the drum 10 in FIG- URE 1, whereby it required each chemical roller can also be provided with a moistening device in the described manner, which for simplification has not been shown in FIGURE 8. The inlet slot is shown at 74 and the outlet slot at 75, the chemical roller 76 containing developer substances and the chemical roller 77 containing fixing means, so that on passage of a film developing and subsequent fixing take place.

The chemical rollers are driven in the described manner in the directions shown by arrows, While the drums thereabove rotate freely or are braked or are driven likewise, a driving with a delayed speed also lying within the scope of the invention.

These driving arrangements are also possible in the previously described embodiment.

FIG. 9 shows two substantially parallel arrangements 79, 80 in housing 73, each comprising a chemical roller 81, 82 and a pressing or heating drum 83, 84. The two arrangements 81, 83, or 82, 84 can be constructed in one of the above described manners, direction of adjustment of the drums for the movements in opposite directions, shown by arrows 85, 86, extending in the direction of the line connecting the axes of the opposed rollers or drums. Guide channels 87, 88 lead from the side walls of the housing to the nips between the rollers and the drums forming the arrangements 79, 80. These channels are extended beyond the arrangements and join at 89 so that a channel 90 is formed through which the two films advance. For guiding together, special transport elements for example in the form of rollers 105 shown in dotted lines can be provided, which project at least partly through the guide elements defining the channels. In the tunnel 90 there is provided, before the outlet slot 91, a squeeze and transport roller pair 92, 93 in which the films are pressed together layer to layer so that the difiusion developing is efiected.

In FIGURE 10, there is shown in section a chemical roller. It will be seen that on a shaft 94 there is arranged a core 95 having a peripheral surface which is axially fluted. A chemical layer 96 is provided on this peripheral surface. The chemical layer comprises for example of the following mixture:

20 grammes Borax crystals 10 grammes Soda crystals The width of the layer 96 determines the working range of the roller and determines the readjustment necessary in the apparatus to enable a good advance of the film to be maintained. The decomposition point for borax is about 63. With the additional use of alum, the corresponding temperature is 92. The heater elements 1%, 102 must be constructed accordingly to provide sufiicient heating.

For many cases in photographic practice only development of a silver halide layer is sufficient, no fixing arrangement being necessary. The described application of the chemicals has the additional advantage that subsequent development of the negative can be avoided since on leaving the heating zone-in the arrangement including a heating drumthe chemicals on the negative immediately solidify or are already used up and thus allow no subsequent development. Thus the additional effect of the application of a protective layer becomes of value.

It is in addition pointed out that Within the scope of the present invention, the treatment of double-sided films is possible, in which on both sides of the film chemical rollers are arranged which are wetted or heated before the point of engagement with the film.

I claim:

1. In an apparatus for treating photographic emulsioncarrying film, frame means, guide means supported by said frame means and forming a guide path for said film, treatment means supported in said frame means and projecting into said guide path in position to contact said emulsion on the film as said film is moved along said guide path, said treatment means comprising a member made of fusible material having an emulsion treatment chemical in a solid state distributed therein, supply means for supplying a medium to said treatment means to fuse said chemical therein, and control means for controlling actuation of said supply means, whereby said chemical is selec tively released for action upon said emulsion.

2. In an apparatus for treating photographic emulsioncarrying film, frame means, guide means supported by said frame means and forming a guide path for said film, a treatment roller, means rotatably supporting said treatment roller in said frame means with a portion of the circumference of said treatment roller projecting into said guide path in position to contact said emulsion on the film passing along said guide path, said treatment roller including an outer layer of fusible material having an emulsion treatment chemical in a solid state distributed therein, a press roller rotatably supported in said frame, means in position to press said film against said treatment roller, supply means adapted to supply a medium to said treatment roller to fuse said chemical therein to thereby selectively release said chemical for action upon said emulsion and drive means connected with at least one of said rollers.

3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2, including resilient means adapted to bias said treatment roller and press roller toward one another.

4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2, including ad justable brake means operatively connected with said press roller to control the rotary speed of said press roller.

5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2, including roller separating means comprising electromagnets connected with said frame means and with one of said rollers to operate against the action of said resilient means.

6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2, including a pair of transport rollers rotatably mounted in said frame means with their nip in said guide path at the inlet side of said treatment and supply rollers, and means operatively connecting at least one of said transport rollers with said drive means to rotate said transport rollers at a pcripheral speed less than that of said treatment and supply rollers.

7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2, including a second treatment roller, a second press roller for cooperation with said second treatment roller, and means rotatably supporting said second treatment roller and second 0 press roller with their nip in said guide path, the chemical in the fusible material of said firstmentioned treatment roller comprising a developer substance and the chemical in the fusible material of said second treatment roller comprising a fixation substance.

8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2, including means defining a second guide path in said frame means, a second treatment roller, a second press roller for cooperation with said second treatment roller, means rotatably supporting said second treatment roller and said second press roller with their nip disposed in said second guide path, heating means within said two press rollers, said heating means acting through the films and the emulsions thereon so that the outer surfaces of the treatment rollers are melted on passage of films in said guide paths, said firstmentioned and second guide paths merging into a common guide path, a pair of transportation rollers having their nip in said common guide path, and drive means for driving at least one of said transportation rollers.

9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2, in which said fusible material comprises borax and soda.

10. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2, in which said chemical comprises alkali.

11. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2, in which said chemical comprises thiosulphate.

12. The apparatus as set forth in claim 9, in which said fusible material contains alum which in solidified condition forms a protective coating on the emulsion.

13. The apparatus as set forth in claim 9, in which said fusible material contains methylumbelliferone effective on the emulsion as a protective filter.

14. In an apparatus for treating photographic emulsion-carrying film, frame means, guide means supported on said frame means and forming a guide path for said film, a treatment roller made of fusible material having an emulsion treatment chemical in a solid state distributed therein, a shaft connected With said treatment roller and projecting from both ends thereof, bearing means for said shaft mounted in said frame means in position to make a portion of the circumference of the treatment roller project into said guide path to contact said emulsion as the film is moved along said guide path, drive means mounted on said frame means, means operatively connecting said drive means with said shaft for imparting rotmy motion to said treatment roller, a press roller, means rotatably supporting said press roller on said frame means in a position parallel with and adjacent to said treatment rolle resilient means biasing said rollers toward one another, separating means connected with at least one of said rollers and actuatable to selectively separate said rollers from one another against the action of said resilient means, and heating means in said press roller, whereby contact between said rollers causes the heat generated by said heating means to be transmitted through the film and the emulsion thereon to melt the outer surface of the treatment roller and thereby release said chemical in the fusible material for action upon said emulsion.

15. In an apparatus for treating photographic emulsioncarrying film, frame means, guide means supported on said frame means and forming a guide path for said film, a treatment roller made of fusible material having an emulsion treatment chemical in a solid state distributed therein, a shaft connected with said treatment roller and projecting from both ends thereof, bearing means for said shaft mounted in said frame means in position to make a portion of the circumference of the treatment roller project into said guide path to contact said emulsion as the film is moved along said guide path, drive means mounted on said frame means, means operatively connecting said drive means with said shaft for imparting rotary motion to said treatment roller, a press roller, means rotatably supporting said press roller on said frame means in a position parallel with and adjacent to said treatment roller,

resilient means biasing said rollers toward one another, a liquid container beneath said treatment roller, and separating means adapted to selectively separate said liquid container and treatment roller from one another to alternatively partly immerse said treatment roller in said liquid and separate it therefrom, the liquid being of a nature to liquefy said chemical in the fusible material for action upon said emulsion.

16. The apparatus as set forth in claim 15, in which said separating means comprise electromagnets connected with said frame means and said liquid container to selectively raise and lower said liquid container.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Rohrdantz Apr. 10, 1906 Thomas Sept. 4, 1928 Langsner May 13, 1930 Gronau Mar. 31, 1931 Glickman Nov. 2, 1943 Bushell Jan. 12, 1960 Ostergaard July 19, 1960 Heldens Sept. 19, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain June 14, 1934 

1. IN AN APPARATUS FOR TREATING PHOTOGRAPHIC EMULSIONCARRYING FILM, FRAME MEANS, GUIDE MEANS SUPPORTED BY SAID FRAME MEANS AND FORMING A GUIDE PATH FOR SAID FILM, TREATMENT MEANS SUPPORTED IN SAID FRAME MEANS AND PROJECTING INTO SAID GUIDE PATH IN POSITION TO CONTACT SAID EMULSION ON THE FILM AS SAID FILM IS OVED ALONG SAID GUIDE PATH, SAID TREATMENT MEANS COMPRISING A MEMBER MADE OF FUSIBLE MATERIAL HAVING AN EMULSION TREATMENT CHEMICAL IN A SOLID STATE DISTRIBUTED THEREIN, SUPPLY MEANS FOR SUPPLYING A MEDIUM TO SAID TREATMENT MEANS TO FUSE SAID CHEMICAL THEREIN, AND CONTROL MEANS FOR CONTROLLING ACTUATION OF SAID SUPPLY MEANS, WHEREBY SAID CHEMICAL IS SELECTIVELY RELEASED FOR ACTION UPON SAID EMULSION. 